Remember, Credit Unions are able to often offer some pretty competitive rates for lending and earnings as they are exempt from much of the federal laws that apply to banks. As FRANKN mentioned, the availability of interfacing tends to be better with the larger banks. Food for thought.

That is a great point on asking your family as credit unions will almost always allow their family members.

For me, I have always used regular banks. Not that I think they are necessarily better, but since I travel often and do mostly online banking, I have just gotten comfortable with my large bank's user interface.

Credit unions are no longer just for work collectives. Many can be found that are location based now or other criteria. You'd have to look around your area to find credit unions that you're eligible for. Also, ask family because many credit unions will allow members of families to join, even if the original account holder is the only one to meet the criteria.

I've always just done business with a regular bank, but I have been seriously thinking about switching over to a credit union. I always thought that the only way you could become a member was through your workplace, and my workplace doesn't do business with these types of banks. Can regular people use credit unions? I really want to start a savings account for my children to attend a private school, but I don't know which bank to go through.

I'm a member of a credit union through my employer but I still do most of my financial business through my local bank. The only area where the credit union has my bank beat is with savings accounts; the credit union offers them for free to all members but my bank only offers free basic checking accounts.

I used to much prefer credit unions but banks have responded favorably to the competition. These days you can get everything I need at many banks, not just credit unions. This is convenient for me as it's easier to find a bank location compared to most credit unions that often only have one branch.

Credit Union, Hands Down! They offer lower credit card interest rates and have better customer service! I love Navy Federal Credit Union! My dad was in the Army and is a member, so I joined. They have the best customer service. Also, they monitor your credit card usage and if they suspect fraud they call you right away and freeze your card until they talk with you.

Obviously credit unions, they are always in a competition and thus they are ready to make may offers, with a little negotiation you can have your work done easily as compared to rigid bank's rules and regulations.

Absolutely love Clearview FCU. Refinancing my car with them and saving 1% point. woo hooo

I have been banking at a major national bank for the past 15 years, once a credit union for a real short stint. Recently I have heard a lot of great perks and benefits (well for many years I have heard this) of banking with a credit union so I decided to finally look into it. I called one of the local credit unions in my area and got a personal loan and refinanced my car for 6%. So, I am working to transfer all of my banking to this credit union in the next couple of months. I will probably keep on bank account with my national bank, as it will help when I travel out of town should I need to access cash and I won’t have to worry about ATM fees. I recommend people doing what works for them, but I have to say I am glad I made the decision to finally look into a credit union. When I went to this bank to close out the majority of my accounts, I received no questions as to why or concern. That was just another reason to confirm what I was doing was the right choice.

Actually you can avoid Atm fees and still belong to a credit union. 99% of credit unions belong to both the credit union Coop network a national network of atms and the credit union service centers. The coop atm network you can go to any atm in the country that is a coop member and pay no fees. The credit union service centers even if you are out of state you can walk into a shared service center and make a deposit or withdraw just as if you were at your local credit union. Some credit unions charge to use service center but most don't. No fee for coop network There is both a coop atm app and service center app on the IPhone.

I have been banking at a major national bank for the past 15 years, once a credit union for a real short stint. Recently I have heard a lot of great perks and benefits (well for many years I have heard this) of banking with a credit union so I decided to finally look into it. I called one of the local credit unions in my area and got a personal loan and refinanced my car for 6%. So, I am working to transfer all of my banking to this credit union in the next couple of months. I will probably keep on bank account with my national bank, as it will help when I travel out of town should I need to access cash and I won’t have to worry about ATM fees. I recommend people doing what works for them, but I have to say I am glad I made the decision to finally look into a credit union. When I went to this bank to close out the majority of my accounts, I received no questions as to why or concern. That was just another reason to confirm what I was doing was the right choice.

CU....switched last week. got a credit card @9.9 fixed and a car loan at 3.67......they won my business with those two items....along with free checking and bill pay.

As a credit union enthusiast I have to say NO! Switch right away! Big banks are killing this country. However, this gets political so don't take my opinion so seriously.

Cheers!

I really take seriously my future finances, everybody's opinion in this forum helps a lot, to figure out which one is the best route to go for, I should say that's a given!! what you are a CU esthusiast for!!!


I will be pretty soon!!

meanwhile, I will keep the other one for a few weeks, for the purpose of doing my transactions actively, for example

As a credit union enthusiast I have to say NO! Switch right away! Big banks are killing this country. However, this gets political so don't take my opinion so seriously.

Cheers!

Non-profit?? that's better!, I might open a new account with CU bank pretty soon, meanwhile, I will keep the other one for a few weeks, for the purpose of doing my transactions actively, for example: pay rent, my every day expenses that I left over, however, my future new CU account will be my best bet. I think CU banks are the best to deal with, in case of any type of loan you will need in the future, eventhough, the other regular bank does an excellent service, they are practicing a profitable financial service while in the other hand, you have a non-profit service that it's convenient for you.
I have to say that this website is really illustrative and thanks for the reply.